Chapter 4
The Minister of Magic
Harry settled himself down into a cosy armchair and took a copy of 'The Daily Prophet' from the table. Harry read the article on the front page. It was placed next to a moving photograph of the Ministry searching Harry's house and a photograph of Cho holding baby James with Harry standing by her. He tore his eyes away to look at the article.
HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED HAS RETURNED
It has been confirmed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has indeed returned. He was last seen jumping out of the window of number 9 Diagon Estate, residence of Mr. Harry Potter. After murdering Mrs. Cho Potter he fled and has not been seen since. The Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic has ensured that they are doing everything possible to find him. Albus Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic, has this to say. "I ask that nobody panics but instead uses this time to untie again as we did and fight. When I say fight I don't mean kill. I mean that we will never give up. If you and your family are unsure of how to keep safe in an out of home, the Ministry will be sending out leaflets to every wizarding house in the country."
Harry finished the article and rolled up the newspaper. He noticed that Ron was reading it over his shoulder.
"Those leaflets better be good," said Ron.
"I've found one over here!" Hermione called over to them. She unfolded it and read out loud. "Whether you are in or out of your house, lock all doors and windows and carry a wand at all times. Do not leave any child under 14 alone. And so on."
"We can't tell them everything," said Parvati. "But they do have to know how to keep safe" A few people nodded in agreement and looked back to their magazines. It seemed like forever until a wooden panel door opened at the end of the room. From out of it stepped Percy Weasley.
"Ah," he said with a small smile. "The Order of the Phoenix, the Minister has been expecting you." He turned to Harry, his face full of sympathy. "Harry, if there is anything Penelope and I can do for you just...just let us know."
"Thanks," said Harry forcing a sad smile onto his face.
After a short pause Percy spoke. "Ok, then everyone come through." He led them through the door into a strange familiar room. It was the old headmaster's office. Dumbledore must have transported it to the Ministry. And sure enough sitting at his desk was no other then Albus Dumbledore himself.
"Please," he said. "Sit down." He waved his wand and conjured 23 seats all for the Order. They took their seats and Percy walked around to stand behind Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore turned to Hermione.
"I know what you need," he said. "Winguardium Leviosa!" he said. A globe shaped object floated over from behind the Order and sank down onto the desk. It was almost like a crystal ball except it was filled with some sort of dark purple, liquidy gas.
"This is the Verlornenfinden, a magical object designed by the famous German witch, Hilda Van Schon, used to find anyone in the world in just a split second. There is only one of these left and it can only be used once," Dumbledore explained. The whole of the order sat, stunned by the small ball. "Unfortunately only parcel tongues, as Hilda was, can use this." Everyone turned to Harry.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "You can do the honours." Harry got out of his chair and walked around behind the desk to stand next to Dumbledore who had stood up.
"What do I do?" Harry said.
"Place your hand over the top of the globe," instructed Dumbledore. Harry did as he was told. "Close your eyes, and think of Voldemort." Harry heard everybody wince. He thought hard of Voldemort, his face, and pale skin, red slits for eyes. Suddenly his scar seared with pain and he pictured him, Voldemort walking through a city with Draco Malfoy dragging bags behind him. He was wearing a black cloak so Harry couldn't see his face but he knew it was Voldemort because of his limp that Harry had given him last time they met. Wherever they were was a city. He was walking across a road, past cars, many of them yellow taxis. He trudged on and arrived infront of a huge tall building with a huge spike on the top. Everything went fuzzy and Harry opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor of Dumbledore's office with sweat dripping over his face. Everyone was crowding around him. He tried to get up but his knees buckled and he fell down.
"He's in New York!" he yelled. "NEW YORK!"
"Don't worry Harry!" said Ron, helping Harry into a chair.
"We have to go to New York! He's there with Malfoy!" yelled Harry even louder.
"I suggest that you go as soon as possible," said Dumbledore calmly. "Tomorrow perhaps, but Harry, you must get some rest. The Verlornenfinden is extremely wearing."
"Yeah Harry," said Hermione. "We'll take you home and we'll leave by Muggle aircraft tomorrow."
"Ok," said Harry calming down. "Some of us will have to stay here to protect the wizarding community in Britain."
"First things first," said Dumbledore. "Who will go to New York with Hermione, Ron and Harry? We need about 3 of you." There was a long silence.
"Is there no one?" said Hermione.
"We'll do it!" said Fred and George.
"But...George!" said Angelina. "It's dangerous, what about the kids?"
"Don't worry I'll come back," he said planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Well that's two," said Hermione. Suddenly there was knock at the door. Percy walked over and opened it to reveal a girl around Harry's age.
"I'm sorry Sir but there is news of You-Know-Who being in New York, it's urgent!" she said. She had short spiky blue hair and turquoise eyes.
"We know," said Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter kindly used the Verlornenfinden for us and he will be leaving for New York tomorrow with Ron and Hermione and Ron's elder brothers Fred and George."
"Well...that's great!" said the girl.
"Gwen I know you were looking forward to taking this mission so I will let you go with them," said Dumbledore. He turned to Harry.
"This is Gwen Frinski," he said. "She is an Auror in the Department of Mysteries and she will be accompanying you to New York." She stepped forward.
"Hi!" she said shaking Harry's hand. And Harry grew great respect for her after that handshake. She was the only stranger that didn't treat Harry like a celebrity or look up at his scar. She treated him like a normal person.
Hermione invited Gwen, Fred, George and Harry to come back and stay at the house so that they could all leave together in the morning. They said goodbye to the rest of the order who wished them good luck. Angelina cried but George comforted her and said he'd send her an owl when he got there. They all arrived at Hermione and Ron's and thanked Alicia and Susan for looking after the kids. When Alicia and Susan had left Hermione laid the table and conjured up dinner. Everyone sat down. Harry sat in-between James and Gwen.
"How are we going to look after the kids?" asked Ron after swallowing a chunk of potato. "We can't take them with us can we?"
"Mmmm," said Hermione unsure. "We might have to leave them with someone."
"I'm not leaving James here," said Harry putting his arm around James who was happily crunching on some salad. "Cos, lets face it, we might not see them again."
"Yes," said Hermione looking at Cecile. "I have an auntie that lives in New York, she's a witch, so she could look after them while we look for You- Know-Who."
"That's settled then," said Ron. They munched through their meal and after the kids were tucked up in bed they all sat down for a glass of Ogden's Old Fire Whisky.
"So Gwen," said Hermione. "How old are you?"
"Oh I'm 23," she said, taking a sip of Whisky.
"How long have you been working for the Ministry?" Ron asked.
"Since I was 19," she said. "I started training then and became an Auror when I was 21." They sat and drank. Harry didn't talk to Gwen much. He didn't talk much anymore anyway.
Soon it was time for bed and as Harry tossed and turned in his bed he dreamt of Voldemort and Malfoy, somewhere in New York walking the streets planning a way to take over, somewhere.
The Minister of Magic
Harry settled himself down into a cosy armchair and took a copy of 'The Daily Prophet' from the table. Harry read the article on the front page. It was placed next to a moving photograph of the Ministry searching Harry's house and a photograph of Cho holding baby James with Harry standing by her. He tore his eyes away to look at the article.
HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED HAS RETURNED
It has been confirmed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has indeed returned. He was last seen jumping out of the window of number 9 Diagon Estate, residence of Mr. Harry Potter. After murdering Mrs. Cho Potter he fled and has not been seen since. The Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic has ensured that they are doing everything possible to find him. Albus Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic, has this to say. "I ask that nobody panics but instead uses this time to untie again as we did and fight. When I say fight I don't mean kill. I mean that we will never give up. If you and your family are unsure of how to keep safe in an out of home, the Ministry will be sending out leaflets to every wizarding house in the country."
Harry finished the article and rolled up the newspaper. He noticed that Ron was reading it over his shoulder.
"Those leaflets better be good," said Ron.
"I've found one over here!" Hermione called over to them. She unfolded it and read out loud. "Whether you are in or out of your house, lock all doors and windows and carry a wand at all times. Do not leave any child under 14 alone. And so on."
"We can't tell them everything," said Parvati. "But they do have to know how to keep safe" A few people nodded in agreement and looked back to their magazines. It seemed like forever until a wooden panel door opened at the end of the room. From out of it stepped Percy Weasley.
"Ah," he said with a small smile. "The Order of the Phoenix, the Minister has been expecting you." He turned to Harry, his face full of sympathy. "Harry, if there is anything Penelope and I can do for you just...just let us know."
"Thanks," said Harry forcing a sad smile onto his face.
After a short pause Percy spoke. "Ok, then everyone come through." He led them through the door into a strange familiar room. It was the old headmaster's office. Dumbledore must have transported it to the Ministry. And sure enough sitting at his desk was no other then Albus Dumbledore himself.
"Please," he said. "Sit down." He waved his wand and conjured 23 seats all for the Order. They took their seats and Percy walked around to stand behind Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore turned to Hermione.
"I know what you need," he said. "Winguardium Leviosa!" he said. A globe shaped object floated over from behind the Order and sank down onto the desk. It was almost like a crystal ball except it was filled with some sort of dark purple, liquidy gas.
"This is the Verlornenfinden, a magical object designed by the famous German witch, Hilda Van Schon, used to find anyone in the world in just a split second. There is only one of these left and it can only be used once," Dumbledore explained. The whole of the order sat, stunned by the small ball. "Unfortunately only parcel tongues, as Hilda was, can use this." Everyone turned to Harry.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "You can do the honours." Harry got out of his chair and walked around behind the desk to stand next to Dumbledore who had stood up.
"What do I do?" Harry said.
"Place your hand over the top of the globe," instructed Dumbledore. Harry did as he was told. "Close your eyes, and think of Voldemort." Harry heard everybody wince. He thought hard of Voldemort, his face, and pale skin, red slits for eyes. Suddenly his scar seared with pain and he pictured him, Voldemort walking through a city with Draco Malfoy dragging bags behind him. He was wearing a black cloak so Harry couldn't see his face but he knew it was Voldemort because of his limp that Harry had given him last time they met. Wherever they were was a city. He was walking across a road, past cars, many of them yellow taxis. He trudged on and arrived infront of a huge tall building with a huge spike on the top. Everything went fuzzy and Harry opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor of Dumbledore's office with sweat dripping over his face. Everyone was crowding around him. He tried to get up but his knees buckled and he fell down.
"He's in New York!" he yelled. "NEW YORK!"
"Don't worry Harry!" said Ron, helping Harry into a chair.
"We have to go to New York! He's there with Malfoy!" yelled Harry even louder.
"I suggest that you go as soon as possible," said Dumbledore calmly. "Tomorrow perhaps, but Harry, you must get some rest. The Verlornenfinden is extremely wearing."
"Yeah Harry," said Hermione. "We'll take you home and we'll leave by Muggle aircraft tomorrow."
"Ok," said Harry calming down. "Some of us will have to stay here to protect the wizarding community in Britain."
"First things first," said Dumbledore. "Who will go to New York with Hermione, Ron and Harry? We need about 3 of you." There was a long silence.
"Is there no one?" said Hermione.
"We'll do it!" said Fred and George.
"But...George!" said Angelina. "It's dangerous, what about the kids?"
"Don't worry I'll come back," he said planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Well that's two," said Hermione. Suddenly there was knock at the door. Percy walked over and opened it to reveal a girl around Harry's age.
"I'm sorry Sir but there is news of You-Know-Who being in New York, it's urgent!" she said. She had short spiky blue hair and turquoise eyes.
"We know," said Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter kindly used the Verlornenfinden for us and he will be leaving for New York tomorrow with Ron and Hermione and Ron's elder brothers Fred and George."
"Well...that's great!" said the girl.
"Gwen I know you were looking forward to taking this mission so I will let you go with them," said Dumbledore. He turned to Harry.
"This is Gwen Frinski," he said. "She is an Auror in the Department of Mysteries and she will be accompanying you to New York." She stepped forward.
"Hi!" she said shaking Harry's hand. And Harry grew great respect for her after that handshake. She was the only stranger that didn't treat Harry like a celebrity or look up at his scar. She treated him like a normal person.
Hermione invited Gwen, Fred, George and Harry to come back and stay at the house so that they could all leave together in the morning. They said goodbye to the rest of the order who wished them good luck. Angelina cried but George comforted her and said he'd send her an owl when he got there. They all arrived at Hermione and Ron's and thanked Alicia and Susan for looking after the kids. When Alicia and Susan had left Hermione laid the table and conjured up dinner. Everyone sat down. Harry sat in-between James and Gwen.
"How are we going to look after the kids?" asked Ron after swallowing a chunk of potato. "We can't take them with us can we?"
"Mmmm," said Hermione unsure. "We might have to leave them with someone."
"I'm not leaving James here," said Harry putting his arm around James who was happily crunching on some salad. "Cos, lets face it, we might not see them again."
"Yes," said Hermione looking at Cecile. "I have an auntie that lives in New York, she's a witch, so she could look after them while we look for You- Know-Who."
"That's settled then," said Ron. They munched through their meal and after the kids were tucked up in bed they all sat down for a glass of Ogden's Old Fire Whisky.
"So Gwen," said Hermione. "How old are you?"
"Oh I'm 23," she said, taking a sip of Whisky.
"How long have you been working for the Ministry?" Ron asked.
"Since I was 19," she said. "I started training then and became an Auror when I was 21." They sat and drank. Harry didn't talk to Gwen much. He didn't talk much anymore anyway.
Soon it was time for bed and as Harry tossed and turned in his bed he dreamt of Voldemort and Malfoy, somewhere in New York walking the streets planning a way to take over, somewhere.